Listen

November 12, 2008

By Kelly M., Mineola, NY

Image Credit: Matthew S., Sharon, MA

Anger bubbles up beneath my skin; I grin, then push my lips out in frustration when he turns away.

My nose prickles hard on the inside and I swallow hard, willing the tears not to come, but they do not heed. The briny water wells up on the cusp of my lashline, threatening to fall to give me away. I feel the first drop slip over the edge and glide softly down my cheek onto my lower lip, which trembles. Its saltiness coats the single word on my tongue that fidgets, waiting to launch itself into the open air in vain like so many times before. Listen.